Notes on Reach Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 10th September 2003

Present

Chairman Cllr Robinson, V/Chairman Cllr Aves, Cllrs Harrison, Pearson and Hill; also C/Cllr Fitch.

Reports

County Council

Education

Bottisham village college had achieved excellent GCSE results, said Cllr Fitch, with 96% passing five GCSE across the range, and 67% passing with grades A–C. The college’s SATs results were the best ever.

General

Cambridgeshire County Council had been given beacon status. Cllr Fitch said its Information Technology skills were ‘better than some’ and so it had offered help to ECDC and Huntingdonshire CC in this sphere. Following a comparative performance assessment (CPA) of CCC it was hoped the County would receive government funding for the next 3 years and not have to re-apply every year.

A website had been set up where people could swop or sell household goods (www.recap.co.uk)

Environment and transport

Local newspapers had reported a dedicated two-man team which had been set up for fast response to repairing holes in the road, clearing unwanted rubbish etc., should these problems not be picked up by the routine authority.

Fordham by-pass should be completed by 2005.

Work on the dangerous bend at Swaffham Bulbeck had been completed, although trees were still to be cut back. Cllr Fitch said the signage here was unique and pointed out that there was now a 35 mph speed limit on this stretch of the road.

New lights had been installed on the B1303 at Bell Road, Bottisham.

District Council

Replacement lights on Fair Green

Cllr Cane had reported that the Conservation Officer at ECDC, John Selby, had voiced support for replacing the remaining lights on Fair Green. She pointed out, however, that the Ditchfield end of Fair Green would need more lights than at present to meet new highways regulations. Money would not be as much as granted for the first stage of the lighting scheme and would not be forthcoming for some time. A contribution from Reach PC would be expected.

Computer in Dyke’s End pub

The District Council had decided (for a variety of reasons) that, if the village hall committee agreed, it would be preferable to have their computer in the village hall, rather than the Dyke’s End pub.

Waste collection

There were no plans to start a green waste scheme as funding was not available for the foreseeable future.

Swaffham Prior Primary School

Cllr Pearson reported that the new school year had seen 105 pupils on the school roll

Swaffham Prior PCC

Cllr Robinson told the PC that a copy of the charity’s constitution had been obtained from the Charities Commission. He explained that the PCC had nothing to do with the church, although the Vicar was on the council. In answer to questions he said that monies were raised from land investments. The annual Christmas grants were to be reviewed, as at present every parishioner over 65 was getting them and some were felt to not be badly off financially.

Matters arising

Bonfires

At the request of a parishioner the Clerk had inquired into by-laws concerning bonfires.

There were no by-laws, although if the burning happened regularly and was causing a nuisance the issue would be dealt with under the Environmental Protection

Act.

Hedge cutting

Clerk had contacted the Rights of Way Department at CCC after complaints about a local farmer slashing the hedges. It was reported that this was done as there is a requirement for landowners to control rabbits, as compensation for loss of yield can be claimed by neighbouring farmers.

Harrison’s drove

Cllr Robinson had been attending the public inquiry regarding a claimed public right of way at Harrison’s Drove/Wicken Lode and Underbank Drove, Burwell. Cllr Fitch expressed surprise that the CCC was supporting closure. Councillors discussed and agreed that it appeared that a lot of money was being spent by the council to do the opposite of what was usual, i.e. to keep public rights of way open.

Correspondence

Minor highways scheme

CCC had written requesting bids for the Jointly Funded Minor Highways Improvements budget for the next financial year. It was agreed to ask for a foot/cyclepath to go around the Old Railway Bridge, although this had not been successful last year.

Clerk had asked for assistance from Eastern Highways Dept. and it was agreed that if councillors were available they could meet with the highways officer to discuss at the site.

Fridgesavers scheme

ECDC and npower, the national energy provider, had teamed up to offer residents the chance to trade in their old fridge for a new model at a reduced rate.

Parish planting scheme

CCC were offering trees or hedgerows. The matter was discussed and it was agreed that there are no suitable sites in the village.

Advice line

The Cambridge Independent Advice Service had launched a new telephone advice line.

Guidance on housing

The Government had issued two consultation papers in which they were proposing key changes to national planning Policy Guidance on Housing. The documents are available on the website at www.odpm.gov.uk.

Tree work

The Tree officer at ECDC had written informing the PC about tree pruning at Hobsdyke End House, Fair Green.

Planning permission

Permission had been given for work on 12A and 12B The Hythe.

Poppy appeal

It was agreed to donate to this year’s poppy appeal for a wreath to go on the war memorial.

Reach matters

Annual accounts

Owing to new regulations by the Audit Commission the Clerk had enlisted the help of a chartered account to supervise the accounts. These were shown to councilors before being sent to the auditor. Cllr Aves proposed that they be accepted and submitted and this was seconded by Cllr Pearson.

Trees overhanging signs

Cllr Harrison said that the trees obstructing the ‘bends’ sign in Burwell Road still hadn’t been trimmed. Clerk to follow up.

Village sign

Cllr Harrison said that the village sign was in need of some attention.